News / National
Chamisa cranks up Mnangagwa pressure
26 May 2019 at 13:54hrs | Views
MDC leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday told his supporters to brace for more sustained pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the disputed 2018 elections, saying Zimbabwe's problems needed an immediate solution.
Officially opening the 5th MDC congress at Ascot Stadium in Gweru, Chamisa said his party was demanding an early election to solve the dispute over last year's polls.
The opposition leader has refused to recognise Mnangagwa's election victory despite the Constitutional Court ruling that went against him on the grounds that he did not provide enough evidence to prove that there was rigging.
"I have already said that 2023 is too far," Chamisa told the congress.
"We must make sure that we have a democratic election in this country as soon as possible.
"If they refuse (to hold an early election) we will force them.
"Some will ask how will this be achieved. Zimbabwe has a dark cloud hanging over it, until and unless the dark cloud is removed, this country is going to slide into further problems because we had a disputed election."
Chamisa said Zimbabwe needed the support of its neighbours and the international community to solve its mounting problems.
The MDC has threatened to roll out mass protests after its congress to force Mnangagwa into convening talks to end the political impasse.
However, the government has repeatedly threatened to use force to quell any protests.
Last week five civil society activists were charged with treason after they allegedly attended a workshop organised by an organisation that advocates for non-violent action.
The five were accused of plotting to topple Mnangagwa's government by engaging in terrorist activities. Chamisa said the world needed to keep a close eye on
Zimbabwe.
"We want the global support and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe," he said.
"When we start doing what we want to do I know they will panic and start killing people, but you can't kill all the people, you will die before you kill all the people."
In January human rights groups claimed that soldiers killed 17 people after violent protests over a steep fuel price increase. Several women also claimed that they were raped by soldiers.
Mnangagwa defended the deployment of the army and has vowed to do it again in the event of violent protests.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, which called for the January mass stayaway that coincided with the protests, last week threatened to roll out mass
action to force the government to address the mounting economic problems facing the country.
Chamisa said the aftermath of the congress, which is expected to confirm him as the late Morgan Tsvangirai's successor, would see the party stepping up pressure against the government.
He added: "As we leave congress, we are acting. It will be fire. What will be burning?
"We will burn poverty, we will burn corruption, we are going to mobilise for change in this country.
"We are going to come and mobilise for transformation in this country.
"We are going to come and talk to you to find out whether you agree that once we finish congress we fix our nation."
Chamisa said his party would not be deterred by arrests and intimidation.
"We are ready some of us, you can't arrest me for saying people must be happy," he said. "This country does not belong to a person, no party holds tittle deeds to this country."
He said Zimbabwe's problems were caused by a crisis of leadership.
"There is no fuel, simple. There is no electricity, simple. There is no cash, no happiness in families," Chamisa added.
"There is no water and there is no democracy.
"These are the problems we have, but they all emanate from the political crisis we have and we must be able to resolve the political crisis."
The MDC congress, which ends today, is being attended by several pro-democracy activists and leaders of opposition parties from a number of countries in Africa.
The include prominent Ugandan activist Bobi Wine, the secretary-general of Kenya's ODM party Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino, a Kenyan MP.
Meanwhile, Obey Sithole was on Friday elected the MDC's youth leader after beating former secretary-general Lovemore Chinoputsa.
Elections for the women's assembly were done last night, while polls for the main wing will take place today.
Officially opening the 5th MDC congress at Ascot Stadium in Gweru, Chamisa said his party was demanding an early election to solve the dispute over last year's polls.
The opposition leader has refused to recognise Mnangagwa's election victory despite the Constitutional Court ruling that went against him on the grounds that he did not provide enough evidence to prove that there was rigging.
"I have already said that 2023 is too far," Chamisa told the congress.
"We must make sure that we have a democratic election in this country as soon as possible.
"If they refuse (to hold an early election) we will force them.
"Some will ask how will this be achieved. Zimbabwe has a dark cloud hanging over it, until and unless the dark cloud is removed, this country is going to slide into further problems because we had a disputed election."
Chamisa said Zimbabwe needed the support of its neighbours and the international community to solve its mounting problems.
The MDC has threatened to roll out mass protests after its congress to force Mnangagwa into convening talks to end the political impasse.
However, the government has repeatedly threatened to use force to quell any protests.
Last week five civil society activists were charged with treason after they allegedly attended a workshop organised by an organisation that advocates for non-violent action.
The five were accused of plotting to topple Mnangagwa's government by engaging in terrorist activities. Chamisa said the world needed to keep a close eye on
Zimbabwe.
"We want the global support and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe," he said.
"When we start doing what we want to do I know they will panic and start killing people, but you can't kill all the people, you will die before you kill all the people."
In January human rights groups claimed that soldiers killed 17 people after violent protests over a steep fuel price increase. Several women also claimed that they were raped by soldiers.
Mnangagwa defended the deployment of the army and has vowed to do it again in the event of violent protests.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, which called for the January mass stayaway that coincided with the protests, last week threatened to roll out mass
action to force the government to address the mounting economic problems facing the country.
Chamisa said the aftermath of the congress, which is expected to confirm him as the late Morgan Tsvangirai's successor, would see the party stepping up pressure against the government.
He added: "As we leave congress, we are acting. It will be fire. What will be burning?
"We will burn poverty, we will burn corruption, we are going to mobilise for change in this country.
"We are going to come and mobilise for transformation in this country.
"We are going to come and talk to you to find out whether you agree that once we finish congress we fix our nation."
Chamisa said his party would not be deterred by arrests and intimidation.
"We are ready some of us, you can't arrest me for saying people must be happy," he said. "This country does not belong to a person, no party holds tittle deeds to this country."
He said Zimbabwe's problems were caused by a crisis of leadership.
"There is no fuel, simple. There is no electricity, simple. There is no cash, no happiness in families," Chamisa added.
"There is no water and there is no democracy.
"These are the problems we have, but they all emanate from the political crisis we have and we must be able to resolve the political crisis."
The MDC congress, which ends today, is being attended by several pro-democracy activists and leaders of opposition parties from a number of countries in Africa.
The include prominent Ugandan activist Bobi Wine, the secretary-general of Kenya's ODM party Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino, a Kenyan MP.
Meanwhile, Obey Sithole was on Friday elected the MDC's youth leader after beating former secretary-general Lovemore Chinoputsa.
Elections for the women's assembly were done last night, while polls for the main wing will take place today.
Source - the standard
